Senior Consultant, Public Affairs & Communications

Burson•Ottawa, ON

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are looking for a Senior Consultant based in Ottawa to support client work across both public affairs and strategic communications, with a strong emphasis on communications and stakeholder engagement. This role is ideal for someone who understands how decisions are made in Ottawa, is comfortable engaging with government stakeholders, and can translate complex policy issues into clear, compelling communications. You will work closely with senior leaders and support clients across sectors such as healthcare, technology, financial services, energy, and infrastructure.

Requirements

5–8 years of experience in public affairs, strategic communications, government relations, or political environment
Strong understanding of the federal government ecosystem, including parliamentary processes and decision-making structure
Demonstrated experience in communications strategy, including content development, messaging, and stakeholder positioning
Exposure to federal lobbying activities and government engagement strategies
Ability to build and maintain relationships with federal stakeholder
Excellent writing, research, and analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex policy issues into clear narrative
Experience advising clients in regulated or policy-driven sectors (e.g., healthcare, tech, energy, financial services)
Ability to engage in lobbying activities in compliance with applicable federal regulation
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with strong attention to detail

Nice To Haves

Bilingualism (French and English) is a strong asset

Responsibilities

Supporting the development and execution of integrated public affairs and communications strategies, with a strong focus on messaging, positioning, and narrative development
Leading the development of high-quality content, including briefing notes, media materials, position papers, and executive communication
Monitoring and analyzing federal political, legislative, and regulatory developments, translating insights into actionable recommendations for client
Supporting and, where appropriate, leading engagement with federal stakeholders, including government officials, policymakers, and industry associations
Contributing to lobbying-related activities, including preparation of materials and ensuring alignment with federal requirement
Building and maintaining stakeholder maps and engagement strategies to support outreach initiative
Supporting and leading client meetings, consultations, and government engagement initiative
Advising clients on communications strategy, stakeholder positioning, and reputation management in complex policy environment
Tracking and evaluating the impact of public affairs and communications initiative
Mentoring junior team members and contributing to a collaborative team environment